bookswithdes's reviews
408 reviews

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 stars. 

I don’t think Catharina Maura can write a bad book. She ALWAYS makes me fall in love with the MMC, the couple themselves, the love declarations, and she never fails to make me cry. I swear Catharina Maura makes it her mission to make me cry with every book I read 😭, but I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT. I was so scared that I wasn’t going to like this book, ugh how wrong I was 🫶. I cannot wait to continue the series and watch how the rest of the Windsor family will fall in love. 

Y’all, I loved Luca. His love and possessiveness was TOP TIER. Like once he hears she’s going on a date, he is so desperate to keep her from going by giving her tasks to do, but she’s already done them 🤣 and he’s frustrated that she’s so good at her job. Then after these failed attempts, he finds out who she’s going on a date with, finds out it’s another employee, so he makes a no fraternization rule or it’s an immediate termination 🤭. Not only that, he bought the ENTIRE restaurant where her date was purely so he can have an excuse to be there and ruin her date. This man is crazy for Valentina. His possessiveness is amazing, it’s not too much, it’s perfect. Then, he’s trying to earn her forgiveness so he tries making her abuelas taquitos, so he looks up youtube videos, but he just makes a mess 🥹. And then he says the cutest things that definitely blur the lines of their contract, like how he can’t wait to grow old with her 😭. Then we find out she’s the whole reason he implemented free catered lunch because he saw she was only eating ramen at lunch 😭😭 and realized her paycheck went to taking care of her family. Not only that, but he dismantled her fathers entire company because he hurt her 🤭👀. Y’all the spice scene on chapter 50 where Valentina is on the phone and Luca is doing dirty delicious things to her 🥵🥵. Like I said, this man goes above and beyond for Valentina, so this man bought an entire piece of land just because it contains the exact scenery of an art that she has at home 😳🤭. Y’all, they were at a business meeting with his ex, and he starts fingering Valentina under the table and she finishes 👀👀🥵. Luca is absolutely so cute and sweet. He asked Valentina’s abuela to record a video of herself asking Valentina to forgive him and remember how much he loves her, just so he can have whenever just in case he ever messed up. Not only that but we can see how close he got to her Abuela 🥲. Then this man collected all of the notes she ever gave him for the past 8 years, and incorporated it into the cutest proposal 🥹.It was so crazy to learn how Grandma Anne truly is a mastermind, her plan was years in the making. The epilogues were perfection, we got to Valentina connect with her uncle and brother 😭, and it was the sweetest thing ever. And then seeing Valentina and Luca 10 years later 😭😭. 

There’s also a cameo of Elena and Alec who are in another book, Forever After All. It made me so happy to see them since they were the first Catharina Maura book I read 👏🫶. 

“How could I hate you when you’re the only person I can see myself spending three years with? When you told me that you quit, I was a fucking wreck, Valentina. Nah. I don’t hate you. I hate how much I fucking want you. I hate how beautiful you are, and I hate how much you mess with my mind. Above all, I always hated that you weren’t mine.”

“I think I hate you.” 

“Hate me as much as you want, baby. Resent me. Despise me for shackling you to me when I should’ve offered you unconditional help. Torment me for using you, Valentina, but don’t you fucking leave me.”

“It looks like there’s a misunderstanding of some sort. I was gentle with you last night because it was obvious you were nervous, but that is not how things are going to be between us. I told you in clear terms that I wanted your body. For the next three years, every fucking inch of you is mine, Valentina. Every smile you just gave Theo should’ve been mine. How are you going to compensate me for that?”

“You’re insane.”

“Yes, wife. We’ve long determined that you drive me completely fucking insane, so take some responsibility.”

“You truly do drive me insane, Valentina. You make me act in ways I never thought I would. What are you doing to me?”

“You drive me just as crazy. When I’m around you, I hardly recognize myself.”

“Good.I want to own a part of you that no one else gets. Even now that I’ve made you my wife, I want more. I’m worried I’ll never get enough of you.”

“I never knew you could be this easygoing. For years, you gave me hell, when all along you could’ve been this kind. I feel really wronged, you know?”

“Then let me make it up to you, Valentina. This… this is all reserved for my wife. For you. So take advantage of it all you want. For as long as you want me, I’m yours. I’ll treat you like you’re the single most precious person to me, with one exception.”

“What’s the exception?”

“I can’t be kind to you when I fuck you, baby.”

“She’s so beautiful, it’s unreal. When she smiles at me that way, I become utterly useless. I truly think she’s slowly driving me insane.”

“I love being the person that knows you best, baby. I love figuring out what every single one of your expressions means.”

“Is it fun, making me blush?”

“Yeah. It’s my favorite hobby.”

“I love you, Valentina Windsor. I fucking love you, and I’m tired of pretending I don’t.”

“Then let’s stop pretending. Let’s both stop pretending, Luca, because I think… I think I love you, too.”

“Say that again.”

“I love you.”

“Again.”

“I love you, Luca. I know I shouldn’t, and I know it isn’t part of our deal, but I do.”

“Fuck our deal.The only reason it exists is because there was no other way I could make you mine.”

“From now on, I’ll make all of your dreams come true.”

“I’ll do the same for you, Luca.”

“You already have. You made all of my dreams come true the moment you told me you loved me.”

“Will you always look at me this way?”

“Always.”

“You don’t even know what I’m talking about.”

“I don’t need to. I know that I’ll always love you the same.”

“Even if I get old and wrinkly?”

“Yep. I’ll memorize each of your wrinkles and take them as signs of years we happily spent together. I’ll be aging right along with you, my love.”

“No marriage is perfect, and we’ll go through seasons in life. There will be times that we’re happier than others, but through it all, I’ll be by your side. That much I can promise you. I can’t put to rest all of your fears, not just yet, but ten years from now, we’ll look back at this moment and I’ll tell you I told you so.”

“I can’t wait for that day.”

“Me neither, baby, but let’s not forget to enjoy every step along the way, all right?”

“I’m sorry, but I don’t think I can let you go. Even if you deserve better, even if I’m not right for you, even if I’ve hurt you. I… I can’t.”

“Even if I’m penniless? Even if I’m the reason we lost our home and our jobs?” 

“Even more so then. I just need you, Luca.”

“Nothing you could do or say will ever make me leave you, Valentina. You are, without a doubt, the love of my life. You are the single best thing that has ever happened to me. When I married you, it’s all versions of you I signed up for. The good, the bad, the occasional crazy. I never just wanted your very best. I want it all, baby.”

“We’re going to be fine, aren’t we?” “Yes. We’re going to do what we do best, Valentina. We’re going to fight. For us, and for the future we know we can have.”

“But I won’t apologize for doing everything in my power to keep you by my side. Was it a little psychotic and definitely toxic? Absolutely. Would I do it all over again? Yes, without a single doubt. How can I regret doing something that eventually led to you becoming my wife? Every single step we’ve taken in the last couple of years led us to each other. If I could go back in time, I’d still do whatever it takes to make you mine.”

“You’re incorrigible.”

“I’m just in love with you.I’m irrevocably, insanely, unconditionally, in love with you.”

“I didn’t even think I was capable of loving anyone the way I love him. He broke the mold and set a new precedent. He showed me what true happiness is, and for the rest of our lives, I’m going to do what I can to make sure he always feels the same way.”

“You are the love of my life, and I will never stop fighting for you, for us. I know that I’m not worthy of you, Valentina, but you truly are the light in my life. You brighten up my darkest days, and you give me purpose when everything feels hopeless. At the core of all that I am, there is you. Until I breathe my last breath, that will be true.”

“Thank you. For choosing me, even now.”

“I will always choose you, Luca. Over and over again, no matter the trials or tribulations we face. You are, and always will be, the one for me. I love you more than you’ll ever know.”

“I love you more.”

“She truly is everything to me. The calm to my chaos. The light to my darkness. The love of my life.”

“If I can, I’d like to spend a minimum of three lifetimes with you, Valentina. I’ll be true to you, and I’ll honor you in every single way. I’ll love you through all the seasons in life, through ups and downs, through joy and hardship, for better or for worse.”

“I’m going to make sure he feels as loved as I do, every second of every day, for the rest of our lives. And with a bit of luck, I’ll do it all over again if we ever meet again in another life—because one lifetime with this man could never be enough for me.”

“I told you so. Ten years ago, I told you that I couldn’t put all of your fears to rest just yet, but ten years from then, we’d look back at that moment and I’d tell you I told you so. I told you so.”

“I’ve never been happier that you were right.I love you, Luca. So much.”

“I love you more.”

Every second of every day, I love her more.

Who gave Maren Moore the audacity to write such a perfect MMC, and a perfect book?!?! Like seriously, this book is an easy five stars. This had me feeling all the feelings, absolutely swooning at Reese Landry, and melting at his dirty words. Y’all, I’m not kidding when I tell you I SOBBED. Like full on sobbing. And it wasn’t even a sad book, it was the opposite, it was cute and spicy, but it was almost every sweet and thoughtful act/love declaration that made me lose it and start crying 😭🤣.

Reese is such a sweetie pie. He’s such a family man, like the first thing he did in the morning was call his sister, and tells her he’s only a jet flight away even if it’s to beat someone up for her. And the second he hears that Vivienne doesn’t have a place to stay, he immediately offers his house. Now since they’re roommates that barely see each other due to their differing schedules, they leave each other little notes. Like he left out a yogurt with a note that said “Those jeans you wore yesterday? Yougurta be kiddin’ me, Viv. ;)” And one day after an argument, he leaves her a cereal bar with a note that says Sorry I’m a dumbass. Forgive me? SinCEREALY, Reese.” Another cute thing he did, he started reading books about the supernatural so he can have things to talk to her about. And y’all, she tried to do jello wrestling while drunk and he immediately threw her over his shoulder, took her home, and he took her heels off for her 😭. It was so sweet how he drove her to her mom's apartment which was TWO hours away because he didn’t want to risk her car giving out on her. And then he came to pick her up early, brought her mom flowers and stayed and watched a movie with them 🥹. Y’all the spicy scenes were never lacking. Like this man dirty mouth on the night of the Mardi Gras ball 🥵🥵. Like my book is being TABBED UP with the things he says. And just when I think this man can’t get any sweeter, he goes and gets her a cat because he remembered when she told him that she always wanted one but couldn’t 😭😭. What the hell. Why is he so perfect 😭😭?? Y’all he got BETTER!!!! He got access to take her to an abandoned theme park that doesn’t allow anyone in, but he did it for her because she’s always wanted to go and for her book. And he does all of this even though he is terrified to be there, but he did it to make her happy 😭😭. Y’all, THANK GOODNESS, there was no third act break up. I’m so glad this man didn’t let her push him away, he was like I’m not going anywhere, and he kept reassuring her over and over again. Y’all I’m not kidding, just when I think this man cannot get any better, he proves me wrong!!! This man bound the first copy of her book in memory of her father!!!!! Then Vivenne just had to pull on my heart strings in the epilogue. When she’s at her book tour, she talks about her dedications in her book. The first goes to her father but she also dedicates it to Reese 😭. AND THEN, she makes her own rendition of the 10 things I hate about you speech but it’s things she loves about Reese 😭😭😭😭. And I absolutely lost it. It was so fucking sweet, I couldn’t function. 

"Viv. Fucking focus, please. I need to know what is in the pink bottle in the shower, right. Now."

"Um...exfoliating body wash? I think? I mean, I can't really remember offhand, but why are you even showering in my bathroom and not your—"

"Look, tell me right now, whatever the fuck is in it... is it going to make my dick fall off?"

"What? What do you mean fall off?"

"Is it?"

"Why would you be worried about your dick falling off? Wait, why are you even worried about my shower products? It's just bo—No. No, Reese. Tell me you did not. You used my body wash to... jack off?Are you serious right now?"

"Fuck, my dick is actually tingling right now. And not in a good way. I think it's going to fall off, Viv. This is serious. My dick can't fall off. It's my best feature."

“Did that make you mad?”

“Fuck yeah, it did, Viv. I played that entire game with the taste of your cunt still on my tongue, and seeing you in another man’s jersey? It made me fucking… insane.”

“Why did it make you mad?”

“Because the only fucking jersey you should be wearing is mine, Viv. The only name on your back should be mine.”

“I see you, Vivienne. I see you trying to hide yourself from me, from all of our friends. But I’m going to be here, even when you push me away. Even when you hate me for how annoying I am, for threatening those walls you’ve put up. I’m not going anywhere, baby. Even if all you need from me is to be your punching bag. You are not alone.”

“Thank you for inviting me here tonight. And for this dress, and for making me feel… like I belong here. With you and your family.”

“That’s because you do belong here, baby. I know you were… apprehensive about tonight, but you still agreed to come with me, and that’s what you do. You put everyone before yourself. No matter if you’re scared or anxious. I see you. I see you, Vivienne. I wanted to bring you here tonight so you got to be the one being taken care of for once. So you could wear this dress that makes me fucking ache, and so you could maybe let go of all the shit you’ve been carrying around for a little while and just breathe.”

“The thing about Viv is that as beautiful as she is on the outside, the inside matches. She’s empathetic, resilient, strong, selfless to a fault. She puts everyone above herself. Their feelings, their happiness. She’s a breath of fresh air, especially when she’s busting my balls, and I’m feeling things that I’m not supposed to, but it’s too late. I’m too far gone. I’m falling for her.”

Reese: I’m fucking nervous. My palms are sweating. Even my balls are sweaty. We’ve played in sold out stadiums, and I’m more nervous about this.

Grant renames conversation to: OPERATION CAT DADDY

Lane: 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣

Reese: Are you making fun of my child?

Grant: No, I’m making fun of you.

Lane: Hallie wants to know if you got the scratch tower for her?

Reese: Yeah, I got a bunch of shit because I panicked. I bought like ten different kinds of food because they were all organic and non-GMO and fucking confusing so I just bought them all.

Grant: It’s a cat.

Reese: It’s my child, you dick. 🖕

“I don’t like this sh⁠—”

A loud crash causes us to both jump, cutting him off.

“Yeah, and tell me what the fuck that was, Sweet Tart.”

“Um… a ghost?”

“Nah, fuck this. We’re getting out of here. Right the fuck now.”
“Bu—”

He cuts me off by bending down and throwing me over his shoulder in a single swoop. Without hesitation, he turns on his heel and carries me right out of the fun house in an almost sprint.

“Nope. I’m done. We came, you saw, and now we’re getting the fuck out of here before something drags us down to hell.”

“You can put me down now, you caveman!”

“Nope, not till we’re safely out of this bitch.”

“I fucking want her. All of her. I want her to be mine. I want the whole world to know that she’s my girl. After talking to Grant, I know that I want to be with her, whatever it takes…”

“I don’t want to be friends who hook up anymore because I want to be more than friends, Viv. I want to be with you, for real. I want you to be my girlfriend, not just the girl I’m hooking up with. You deserve more than that. I like you, and I want us to be in a relationship.”

“I… I think I want that too. I want to be with you, Reese.”

“Really?”

I fist pump the air like an idiot who can’t stop himself because Viv just told me she wants to be my girl.

“Let me take care of you for a change. Let me put you first. Let me fucking love you. I was made to love you, and I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life. Over baseball, over the minors. Over it all. This is what I’m sure of. I should have told you that last night, but I was scared to. I was scared that you’d run, that it would be too much for you to hear. But tonight made me realize that you run when the world gets to be too much, but I’m coming after you, baby. I’ll chase you to the ends of the goddamn earth.” 😭😭

“I’m just sorry that I had to tell you I love you here, in the middle of all this and not in a grand gesture kinda way. You deserve grand gestures, baby. I want to be the guy that gives them to you.”

“All I need is this. All I need is you.” 

“Then that’s what you’ll have.”

“Viv’s the most important thing in my life, even more than baseball… She’s my number one. She’s my heart.”

“That’s how I know in my bones that Vivienne is the love of my life. We understand each other in a way that I can’t even explain, and I know she’s the girl I’m going to marry one day. Because that’s what love is, a connection that is deeper than words. It’s in my blood, coursing through my veins with each pump of my heart that belongs to her.”

“You are so important to me. I want you to know that. You’re changing me, Reese, and I’ve never loved who I’m becoming more than I do now. Thank you for being my safe place to land. Thank you for helping me find myself again.”

“Always, baby.”

I’ll always be the place she can run to. I’ll always hold her when the world around her feels like too much. I’ll always put her first, even when she can’t do it for herself. I’ll always take care of her and be her strength.

“But all along, she was missing. This beautiful, resilient, defiant girl who walked into my life and set my heart on fire. The one who challenges me, who pushes me to be a better man. My equal in every sense of the word. The girl I thought that I would never catch because every time I got close, she’d run even further away. But we ended up colliding into each other in a way neither of us expected, and it turns out that catching feelings was the best choice we ever made.”

“I love you.” 

“I love you more.”

And god, do I love Reese Landry. I love him so much sometimes that it feels like my heart could actually burst. I love him irrevocably to the depths of my soul. And I know I always will.

“Reese Landry loves me every single day in a grand gesture. He deserves a grand gesture of his own…. I love the way you wear a backwards hat and your big bleeding heart. I love your tender touch and how you hold me when I fall apart. I love your strength and how you always put me first. I love the way you see me, and sometimes I love you so much that it hurts. But mostly, I love the way that you love me. How I always imagined love would be. I love the way you caught me and the way you never let me go. I love you, All-Star, and I hope you always know.”

“He kisses me in a room full of people like we’re the only two here. He kisses me with purpose. With promise. Because Reese Landry is my endgame.”

Y’all, this was a JOURNEY. It felt like five books in one. It was so nice/sad to see the binding/keeping 13 timeline from Joey/Aoife’s POV. Like Shannon’s first day of school and how worried both Shannon and Joey were. And then when Johnny offers to take Shannon home 🤭. It made me ABSOLUTELY crack up when both Joey and Tony heard Johnny’s voice 🤣. Then, the night Joey gave drunk Johnny and Gibsie a ride home 🤣. I swear anytime Johnny, Shannon, Gibsie, and Claire were on the page, I was so happy. Like when Shannon and Johnny’s relationship was progressing and he came to her house and ending up helping her with her homework, she told Joey that she kissed Johnny and that the other day they hugged and it was the best hug of her life 🥹. And freaking Joey laughed at poor Shannon. Like it’s understandable why it was funny to Joey but it was everything for Shannon because she never had anyone who was nice to her in her life besides Lizzie and Claire. And then Joey talked to her about sex 🫣. I’m so glad Chloe Walsh writes these scenes because it makes it so much more REAL. And in just chapter 3, we get gibsie already 👏👏. Like I was living for the Claire-Gibsie scenes 🤭🥹. Or literally any scene Gibsie was in. And then the epilogue was in Shannon’s POV!! That made me so happy, and even though we got the tiniest scene with her and Johnny, it was amazing!!

And again this was a crazy journey because in the beginning Joey and Aoife went from being broken up, having sex 24/7, then Aoife finding out she’s pregnant, Joey going back to drugs, Joey going to rehab, and then coming back perfectly in time for the birth. So back to the beginning, Aoife was CRAZY. She made up an excuse to joey's teacher to get him excused from a class purely so she can suck his dick 🤭. And then, she showed up to his house in a coat with lingerie underneath and she wore crotch less underwear 🫣. Then, there were little signs of her pregnancy, like the weight gain and the cravings. Then the thing that made Joey spiral back into drugs when poor Aoife spent the entire day taking care of Joey’s brothers so he can treat Shannon for her birthday, and at the end of the day his father assaults her and tries to rape her 😣. Not only that, she is understandably shaken up and not in the right headspace and she tells Joey after that everytime she looks at him she sees his father 🥲. This was a punch to the gut and a knife to the heart. First he heard it was from his mother then the love of his life 😢. Then seeing Joey and Shannon get sent to the hospital from his and Aoife’s pov 😭😭. Like that outside POV of how bad of a condition Shannon and Joey were hurt my heart. And when Darren is judging how Joey's life turned out when it wasn’t his fault, and he was trying his best 😭. But the one good thing is seeing Aoife going off on Marie and Darren. But then freaking Darren accuses Aoife of trapping Joey with a baby?!?! And then Gibsie willingly gave Aoife, a girl he barely knows, $600 all because she asked 😭😭. He is a LITERAL ANGEL 😭😭. Why is he so perfect?? Another character I love, Mrs. Kavanagh. She shows any child whether it’s hers or not so much love and care. Like she INSISTED that she fed Joey before he left and she talked to him. And it was so unsettling for him because someone else besides his siblings and Aoife was listening to him 😢. We learn more and more about Mrs. Kavanaghs past. I hope we’ll get her story with Mr. Kavanagh 🤞🤞. And I didn’t know in that night of the fire, Joey tried to commit suicide 😢, but Lizzie SAVED Joey's life 😭😭. And then poor Joey had to go through even more trauma when he saw his mother’s body being pulled out of the fire…😥.

Y’all, Paul the prick isn’t a prick anymore 🥲. What he did was absolutely one of the sweetest things I’ve ever seen. He said, “Maybe before they moved on, someone wanted to make sure his first love had a fighting chance with her first love.” 😭😭. I feel like that was one of the most pivotal points of the story. 

“You can’t tell me what to do, Joe. You don’t own me.”

“Well, that’s bad fucking luck on my account, because you sure as shit own me!”

“Why would you say that to me?”

“Because it’s the truth.”

“Since when?”

“Since I was twelve.”

“My entire focus was on the girl who’d been successfully tormenting me from the first day we met. Because every part of me loved every part of her. The good, the bad, and the ugly. I fucking reveled in all of it.”

“Bad boy. Tell me you’re sorry.”

“I’m sorry.”

“How sorry?”
“Very sorry.”

“Good boy. Now, tell me you love me.”

“I love you.”

“Say it again.’

“I love you.”

“How much?”

“A lot.”

“Oh, please. You’ve been in love with me since forever. It’s so obvious. But I was never sure if you could ever truly open yourself up in that way to anyone.”

“Not anyone, Molloy. Just you.”

“You know I’ve got your back, right? I am so down for you, Joey Lynch. Ride or die, Joe.”

“Ride or die, Molloy.”

“Where she saw weakness, I saw strength. Where she saw fear, I saw resilience. Unlike me, Shannon didn’t need to alter her mind to survive the world we lived in. She thought she was the weakest link in the family chain, when it couldn’t be further from the truth. My sister was titanium.”

“I’m really fucking drowning here, Aoife.”

“Don’t worry, Jow. I won’t let that happen. I won’t let your head go under.”

“Promise?”

“I promise.”

“I love you.”

“I love you back.”

“I’m going to get this right, Molloy.”

“I know you are, Joe.”

“You’re really sticking around, aren’t ya?”

“Afraid so. For the ring. The white dress. The white picket fence. The whole nine yards.”

“I’ve never had this.” 

“What?”

“This. Us. You.”

“Well, good. Because I’m completely yours.”

“I’m completely yours too. I always have been.”

“You’re a diamond, Joey Lynch. You’re one in a million.”

Oh Jesus. Should I be worried about where this is heading?”

“Nope. Just wanted you to know that you’re someone’s favorite person in the world.’

“Don’t go soft on me, Molloy. You’re someone’s favorite person too.”

“Oh really?”

“Don’t want to do this whole life gig without you, Molloy.”

“You won’t ever have to. You’ll always have me, Joe.”

“I”m going to hold you to that.”

“Being with him feels messy, and raw, and complicated as hell, but it also feels exciting, and addictive, and so incredibly right. There’s no one else for me, Mam. I know it. I can feel it in my bones.”

“I’ve loved your daughter for six years. I can easily love her for another eighteen.”

“Don’t ever lose it, Molloy.”

“Lose what?”

“That spark of fire that makes you so incredibly you. It doesn’t matter how your body changes, because I’m always going to keep coming back to you. Because I might enjoy this. But I’m hooked on this.”

“My mind? Bullshit.”

“It’s true. Nobody else can fuck with my head quite like you can, and that has nothing to do with your body, Molloy.”

“I’m not sure if you’ve ever met the real me or if you’ll even like him, but I’m trying. I’m trying so fucking hard to get back to you-”

“I already love him. All of your shapes and versions, remember?”

“You have no idea how much it means to hear you say that.”

“What? I love you?”

“Yeah.”

“Well, I love you, Joey Lynch. And apparently, I can’t stop.”

“Thank fuck for that. Because apparently I can’t stop loving you, either, Molloy.”

“I don’t deserve your forgiveness. But I will earn it. Because whatever comes our way, from here on out, I’ll be right beside you. Because in this version of forever, we get the happy ending, Molloy.”

“I already told you that I’m not interested in any of this. I’m not your boy.”

“And I already told you that we’re keeping you. Finders keepers, Joey love. You’re mine now.” (Edel)

“Because I want to talk to the fucker offering to take my baby sister home in his car, that’s why.”

“Hey,this is Johnny.”

“That’s no boy. That’s a fucking man’s voice.” (Tony)

“May I be frank?’
“Yeah, yeah, be frank.”

“Joseph, may I be frank?”

“Be whoever the fuck you want, Doc. I’m not your keeper. You be Frank and I’ll be Joey.”

“Believe it or not, Gussie, I will take your rugby-ball-shaped head clean off your shoulder if you don’t let me go.”

“Oh no. Oh, sweet Jesus, here we go.”

“I knew it! I fucking knew it. That’s the second time someone has said that, Johnny. Twice, Johnny. Two times. That’s a pattern.”

“That’s a coincidence. I’ve already told ya a million times, Gibs. Your head is in perfect symmetrical proportion.”

“Symmetrical? What is the name of Jesus are you bringing up maths at a time like this? When I’m having a fucking complex, Johnny!”

“You are a complex, Gibs.”

“Calm down, boys. This is all very natural.” (Trish)

“There’s nothing natural about the noise coming out of your daughter. I want my mam.” (Gibsie)

“Put your balls anywhere near my girlfriend and I’ll kill ya. Do ya hear me, Gibs? I’ll take the bleeding face clean off ya!”

“I’m going to put my balls on her face.”

“Gibs.”

“My big, wet balls all over her face-Jesus Christ, Johnny! There was a stone in that snowball.”

“I know. I put it there.”

“That hurt.”

“Good!”

“I’m not playing anymore. I’m telling Mammy K.”

“Who’s the pussy now? Ya little rat.”

“You’ve been traveling down a very long road, love. Maybe it’s time to rest those feet and let someone else carry the load for you? Let me help you. Let me save you, Joey.” (Edel)

“E-fa. E-fa.”

“Oh, Seany-boo. You have no idea how good it is to see you, baby boy.”

“O-ee sad. O-see miss E-fa.” 😭😭

“O-ee. O-ee.”

“Hey, Seany boo. How’s my baby?”

“O-ee. Seany loves O-ee. O-ee make Seany happy.”

“Joey loves Seany back. Seany makes Joey the proudest brother in the world.”

“Joe’s against it, but I want his middle name to be Joseph. And his last name will be Lynch. We’re not married, so it’s important to me that everyone knows our son has a father who claimed him.’

“And his first name?”

“Anthony. His name is Anthony Josephy Lynch. AJ for short.”

“But I’m Anthony.”

“Yeah, dad. We know.’

“You’ve decided to name your son after the man who raised you. Oh, Aoife, that’s a lovely sentiment.”

“Actually, we decided to name our son after the man who raised the both of us. Because, let’s face it, the only man I ever had to show me the way was your husband.”

I’m honestly not in the mood to write a proper review so enjoy my chaotic jumble of thoughts also beware of spoilers

Wow Luka jumped off the cliff when they’re foster parents threw John off. Scorpius wanted to spend quality time with her so they decided to get to know each other and talked about their insecurities and childhood and after they said “It’s nice to meet you, Scorpius. Same, Arabella.” And continued to talk for eight hours 🥹. The kings went with Sadie and Aran to get mani pedis, and Malum chose a nail polish color to match arans eyes and he got her name spelled out on his toes. Now Malum shared his past with her and it brought them closer together and he finally called her Aran 🥹. They even cuddled together. I love that all six of them cuddled on the floor. It’s kinda nice that they’re experiencing arans past through sleep because now they truly know what she’s gone through. While I was glad they all knew what she went through, all five of the guys didn’t need a POV of them experiencing the nightmares. The kings went to the fae realms and killed everyone who was complicit in harming Aran 👀. And the twins reversed the enchantment on her back by carving whore onto their backs and it like took away the magic and by doing that it released the restriction that prevented her from flying. It’s so crazy and cool that Aran reclaimed her throne and let Jinx rule the fae realm. All six of them are mated. Scorpius likes John, and Orion likes Luca. Corvus is a little softie who loves his estate animals and puts bows on them. It’s so weird to see their personalities outside of the academy and war, but so nice too because they’re finally at peace. Like finally Aran knows love, peace and happiness, and of course she’ll feel off some days but for the most part she’s healed 🥹. Also it’s cool that the kings are now connected/mates with the twins because of Aran. Like now Luka has someone else important in his life rather than just John and Aran. I’m happy too that Lothaire and Aran are mending their relationship. Like it’ll never be perfect because she doesn’t fully forgive him for leaving Aran to the mad queen wrath, but they’re connecting, and talking. She finally called him father and he walked her down the aisle at her wedding 😭. 

“Her existence provided me with a shelter from the world, and just like my twin, she was home.” (Luka)

“Why did you have a hair band?”

“Because you kept complaining about losing them, and I wanted to be helpful.” (Scorpius)

“My Revered would find peace in my arms. It didn’t matter that we were champions in the middle of a war. It didn’t matter that I was a soulless creature who had hurt her in the past. Arabella would find sanctuary with me. Forever.”

“I didn’t exist until you came into my life; there was no purpose or meaning to the monotony. Now I burn with life because I live for you. Every breath I take is yours. You are the totality of my essence. I survive by your mercy.” (Luka)

*Aran spits at Scorpius*

“What did I say about spitting? I said—that I’d spit in your pretty little mouth if you ever spat at me again. Did you forget, Arabella? Or are you purposefully being a brat?”

Aran Alis Egan: You’re ugsome, unkind, unruly, and unwell.

Corvus Malum: You can’t write ugly while describing me, can you?

Aran Alis Egan: Ugsome is a synonym for ugly.

Corvus Malum: Then use it in a sentence, gorgeous. Ugsome also means offensive, which is how you meant it. I like arguing with you. Intellectually you stimulate me, in every sense of the word.

Aran Alis Egan: You are utilitarian. UGH FUCK THIS SHIT. I also like arguing with you. The fact that you aren’t stupid is attractive.

Corvus Malum: I’m hard right now. Everyone, please ignore that.

“You’re the pathetic one who has us sitting here fully clothed in the shower like idiots.” (Scorpius)

“Well, you’re the pathetic one who listened to me.” (Aran)

“Well, you’re the pathetic one for making me so obsessed with you.” (Scorpius)

“I don’t want anyone but you. You’re the only person I’ve ever sat in a shower with fully clothed for hours talking. You’re the only person I don’t like seeing in pain. You’re the only person I’ve ever wanted, Arabella.”

“Wait, Arabella, are you joking with me? You said in the beginning that you would show your love for someone by joking with them, and you always call me ridiculous names that you think are funny. Holy sun god. Are you in love with me, Arabella? I’m very pleased. Also, your muscles are perfect.” (Corvus)

“Actually, could all of us sleep—together?” (Corvus)

“You three want to sleep with me and the twins? Tonight?” (Aran)

“Personally, I want to fuck you and John. At the same time. Preferably, while I choke the living daylights out of you both.” (Scorpius)

“Because that was what you did for those you loved: you hurt those who hurt them. You protected them. You removed the monsters from their lives and became their monster. For Arabella, I would do anything. I was her monster.” (Orion)

“I am so obsessed with you, woman, that it’s killing me!” (Corvus)

“Uh. I didn’t realize you cared about me that much.”

“Care doesn’t encapsulate a tenth of what I feel for you! Aran, I’m so fucking infatuated with you that I’m foaming at the mouth for a smidge of your affection! And you have the audacity to tell me I don’t really care.” (Corvus)

“We want you, Aran. Flaws and all.” (Corvus)

“How does forming the bond prove anything?” (Aran)

“It proves we don’t care if you’re not perfect. We don’t care if the mate bond is messed up—we don’t care if you’re not a perfect Revered, like you put it. Corvus is right, we just want you.” (Scorpius)

“I always suspected it. The Ara constellation. It sits closest to Scorpius and belongs to the family of stars that includes Corvus.” (Orion)

“Ara” was engraved in gold on the mittens he’d given me. Even in the middle of war, he’d been trying to tell me.

“Ara sits so close to Scorpius that it, too, is directly opposite Orion.” 🥹

“I forgot you don’t listen to me because unlike the rest of your mates, I’m a filthy woman.” 

A flaming hand slapped my ass.

“Take it back. Take it back, Aran, or so help me sun god. You’re not filthy. You’re. Slap. My. Slap. Woman.” (Corvus)

The next time, Malum’s nails were also pink and all the men made fun of him.

“Do you like them? Or do I look ridiculous? Am I being stupid?”

“I’ve never been more attracted to you than in this moment. I like that you’re rejecting toxic masculinity—you’re cute.”

“I’m not cute, Aran. I’m a fearsome warrior who breathes fire.”

“Okay, big guy. Whatever you say.”

“Aran. Every morning I wake up and thank the sun god that I get to wake up next to you. Every day I watch you fly across the sky like a goddess, and I thank the sun god that I get to spend my days with such a divine creature—every night I hold you in my arms as we watch the stars, and I thank the sun god I get to spend my nights holding you. I experienced what this life was like without you in it—and it nearly broke me. It was sheer torment. Life without you—was no life at all. So thank you for reminding me what it feels like to have a heart, a purpose, a life You’ve given me everything. My mates. My home.” (Corvus)

Y’all this book got so much crazier and intense for Aran. Like the legionnaire games were no joke. Poor Aran went through it, like she never got a break and when there was a chance she could possibly get a break it was denied 😩. Like seriously I was so fed up for her. Not only that, but the kings were still infuriating in this book. And the only times they started to redeem themselves was when Aran saved one of them, like it took that for them to be nice to her?? And then they broke the small trust and kindness that was building up with their redemption. And then the kings found out that Aran is their fourth mate and she’s their reverend. They quite literally dug their own holes and had to lie in them. Like Aran better put them in their place, I mean she does but I hope she makes them grovel. 

But on the other hand, there was one constant in Arans life, besides Sadie. John was so perfect, adorable and sweet. He was possibly the only one who didn’t care that she hid her identity and didn’t treat her differently, if anything it expedited his feelings for her. But I seriously love their evolved friendship now, like in the last book we saw tiny tidbits of John getting jealous, but now it’s like full throttle. Not only that, but he’s more flirty 🤭. After a competition when Aran gets injured, he has to stitch her up, he keeps giving her words of encouragement like “You’re doing amazing. You’re so fucking strong and impressive. That’s it, just breathe slowly, Princess. Good girl, such a good girl.” And he got possessive over her and didn’t want anyone stitching her up besides him and he didn’t want anyone to see her naked. Then, he gave her a bath and washed her hair 🥹🥹. But their punishment 🫢. Why? It was absolutely terrible. Like I wanted her first time to be with him but not like that. And speaking of John, the secret we learned!!! He has a twin, Luka, and there’s been two of them all this time. And throughout their entire stay at the academy, they had just been switching spots 👀👀. Like Aran had always noticed the personality change but never considered they were two different people. But anyways I loved that plot twist. Especially since we got scenes with Luka now knowing it’s him. Like Luka was stitching up Aran after a competition and he had to straddle her and after a while she started bucking her hips in pain and felt something hard 🤭. She had asked luka why did he have a weapon 🤭 and it was his 🍆. And he took her to his bed and put his favorite pair of fluffy socks on her 😭, and demanded she didn’t take them off because he noticed she was cold lately 🥹. And y’all, after the games I DID NOT expect for John and Luka to propose to her 🫢👀 and she accepted!!! I mean I’m not mad at all but that was quick!! And finally we had some long awaited spicy time with Aran and the twins and sheesh the “my wife” moments were 😘🤌. 

Now despite the king's faults, there were some good times. Like Malum requested a platter with yogurt, fruit, and nuts for Aran since she doesn’t eat meat 🥹. Aran had drunkenly entered a shower stall with the three kings and they took care of her 🥹. Scorpius and Malum washed her hair, while Orion admired her in a certain area, it would’ve been creepy if she didn’t like it but she did. Then Scorpius dressed her while Orion moisturized her and they took her to their bed with them 🤭. Like they full on cuddled with her despite their being no room in their bed, and they said it was the best sleep of their lives 🤭. 

Was anyone confused about Jinx? Like I understood she's actually arans age, and she’s arans guardian, like her guardian angel but Aran is the angel 🤔. But why?? Hopefully I’ll understand in the next one. I can’t wait to finish this series and see how everything develops 👏👏!! 

“I love you guys. Like seriously so much.” (Aran)

“Aw, Aran. I love you more than anyone else ever could.” (Sadie)

“Please, bitch. I love her the most.” (John)

“I’d massacre cities just to make her smile. From the haunted look in Arabella’s eyes, it would come to that. I wouldn’t hesitate. Not when it was for her. Anything for her.” (Orion)

“I took one look into your psycho blue eyes, and I knew you were going to be mine. I just didn’t want to scare you away.” (John)

“But I was a dude?” (Aran)

“Yeah, a stunningly pretty dude. Don’t be coy. You know I’m bisexual. I was playing the long game. Friendship first, then dirty amazing sex.” (John)

“Fucking Hades.” (Luka)

“Swearing is the sign of a weak mind.” (Aran)

“Fuck yourself.” (Luka)

Someone was clearly not open to self-improvement. Sad.

“Why. Do you have a weapon? That’s not a weapon.” (Aran)

“No, Your Highness, it’s not.” (Luka)

It was my turn to blush.

“You know, I thought Aran was the coolest guy I’d ever met. And now I think Arabella is the coolest woman.” (Luka 😭)

“Explain, John.”

“My best friend doesn’t sleep on the floor. You sleep in my arms.”

“I don’t care that your mother’s dead. That is not enough. Whoever served her will burn by my hand. Whoever failed to help you will burn by my hand. Whoever was within a hundred-mile proximity to her when she did this will burn by my hand. I swear it on the honor of the House of Malum. You will be avenged.” (Malum)

“I’ve already told you why I call you my best friend. Because I love you, dude. I have since the moment I woke up to find you above me on the cot, choking me out. The moment you opened your perfect lips and blamed me for your violence, I was a goner. I loved you when you were a pretty boy. I loved you as a breathtaking woman, and I love you right now, my little wounded warrior. I will always love you.” (John 😭😭)

“People think we’re your mothers. Me and Aran? They actually think the two of us created you?” (Sadie)

“Yes, because you spread the rumor yourself.” (Jinx)

“But they actually believe it?” (Sadie)

“Yes.” (Jinx)

She burst into sobs. “That’s so beautiful.” (Sadie)

“Dude, I really love you.” (John)

“Um, are we worried that we’re acting rashly?” (Aran)

“Fuck no. You’re everything to me. Do you think I hold everyone up in the freezing ocean for hours?” (John)

“We’ve only ever felt this way for you.” (Luka)

“You guys are so obsessed with me.” (Aran)

“I know,” they said at the same time.

“What I felt for the twins went beyond words. It went beyond destiny. The three of us were inevitable.”

“Aran had the type of beauty that made artistic geniuses travel across time and space just for the opportunity to spend ten seconds in her presence. She was the definition of a muse. She was ethereal. She was hilarious. She was breathtakingly gorgeous. She was grumpy and violent. She was going to be my wife.” (John)

Wow. This was crazy. First, the rigorous training to be an assassin that Aran went through which included jogging for 30 miles, carrying a slab of boulder over their heads, getting absolutely demolished in the ocean and staying there for 10+ hours, all for weeks on end with little to no sleep. Then, they had to fight these creepy creatures called ungodly’s. Aran also had to endure “The Kings” wrath, they were constantly attacking her physically and verbally, but thankfully she had John who quickly became her first friend there. The Kings were Corvus Malum, Scorpius, and Orion, three gorgeous tall men who were mated to each other who seemingly hated Aran for no reason. Finally she had a little reprieve when Sadie and Jinx came to visit. It was so nice to see Sadie and a glimpse of Cobra as well. But throughout the book, we slowly got to see the Kings becoming protective of her and jealous 🤭. And Orion had finally made his move onto Aran 👏👏. Then, everything went downhill. Horace killed Tara, a royal who became a close friend to Aran, and Horace was in the process of killing Sari, who was another close friend to Aran. Aran snapped, and she killed Horace which was sad because she was becoming friends with him as well, which was a journey in itself because Horace was just a bloodthirsty vampyr who wanted her dead. This led to Lothaire finding out which led to chaos and Aran revealed her true identity. AND THEN, another plot twist we find out Lothaire is Aran’s father!!! Like hello?? I did not see that coming. For the final twist, Lothaire binded Aran’s life to the three kings because it would basically make her more powerful and truly immortal. Also, we got to see Lothaire’s POV over the years, and it made me sad. He was forced to have a child with a fae queen who was insane and he would have to be separated from his child, Aran/Arabella while she was growing up. And all he wanted was to help raise her, care for her, play with her, and just be a father to her. It was so sweet that we learned when the fae realm had been attacked Arabella had lost her eye, so Lothaire PULLED his own eye out and gave it to her 😭😭. Plus, it was so crazy to find out that her entire conception and life was planned out or at least foreseen. 

I will definitely be starting the next book immediately. Like no joke. I need to know how the kings are going to react to her now knowing she’s a girl and even John's role in this entire thing. 

“I bet a pretty boy like you hasn’t seen a day of hard work in his life. You’re going to get destroyed.” (Scorpius)

Sun god help me; he thinks I’m pretty. Even though I was disguised as a boy, I wasn’t dead, and one of the hottest men I’d ever seen had just called me pretty.

“Personally, I was loving this little feedback session and was really growing as an assassin. I jotted down notes into my notebook. “I KNOW DOGS WHO CAN FIGHT BETTER THAN YOU!” I nodded in agreement and scribbled, Adopt, don’t shop. “My blind grandmother who has weeks to live could have reacted faster than you sorry fucks!” Well, she sounded fabulous. I wrote, Meet Lothaire’s grandmother before she dies. Seems urgent. “🤣🤣

“Don’t punch yourself.” (Malum)

“What?”

“Don’t hurt yourself.” (Malum)

I whimpered.

“What the fuck?” (Malum)

“Ungodly. It’s an ungodly! It’s taken over Malum’s body and is spouting nonsense. Someone kill it, quick!”

“Sun god, fucking save me from idiots.” (Malum)

“Sadie, sweetie. I mean this in the kindest way possible. You’re a dumb fucking cunt.”

“You’re such a cutie, Aran. Ugh, I missed your aura of morbid darkness.”
“And I missed your craziness.”

“Are you going to introduce me to your other friends, who are definitely not your best friends?” (John)

“Excuse me? I am his best friend. Who are you?” (Sadie)

“I’m his new best friend.” (John)

“No.” (Sadie)

“Yes.” (John)

“So we both agree.” (Sadie)

“We’ll battle to the death for Aran’s friendship, and whoever wins is his bestie.” (John)

“How dare they assume I was a virgin that was into men. Was I a virgin? Yes. Was I into men? Yes. But it still didn’t give them any right to assume things about me. Nosy fuckers.” 

“How are you doing?” (Aran)

“Not well.” (Orion)

“Why?” (Aran)

“Because you have a girlfriend.” (Orion)

“I’ve talked to the men, and I’ve let them know that I’m claiming you. You’re going to be my little toy.” (Orion)

At the mafia's princess 21st birthday, her entire life is uprooted and takes a turn for the worst. The man she was in love with, her best friend and wanted to marry shocks her with the ultimate betrayal. As Leona is fighting for her life alongside her bodyguard, she comes across many challenges and questions. How will she survive? Will she run and hide? Or will she stay and take revenge for the life she lost? In her quest for revenge, she seeks help from the notorious assassins known as <i>The Shadows</i>? But as she juggles how she will pay for their assistance, connections are formed and lines are blurred. 

I absolutely loved this book, this was easily the best mafia romance I’ve ever read. The plot instantly hooked me, the dynamics in the RH were perfect 😘🤌, and the plot twists and cliffhanger had me on my toes and wanting more. Each MMC had perfectly varying personalities and their instant connection with the FMC had me giggling and kicking my feet. I cannot wait to see how their connection dynamic with Leona will evolve as well as Leona’s journey!!

If you enjoy or are in the mood for a why choose mafia romance with assassins, obsessed men, grumpy x sunshine, banter, hurt/comfort and found family, then highly recommend this book 🥰🫶. 

*i received this as an e-arc, all thoughts and opinions are 100% honest*

release day on 4/8, full rtc 

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 stars.

Seeing the gods' past lives made me so sad, I cried 😭. It was so heartbreaking that they lived a thousand lives and never got their happy ending. They watched each other die and didn’t want to live anymore or they knew they wouldn’t make it and decided to all die fighting and most of the times not everyone got reincarnated or if they did the timing was off 🥲. Now the gods crazy and possessive behaviors make sense 🥺, and it made me root for them 100x more. And y’all, why did Vivian die?!?!?! I fully SOBBED. Like why?!?! What purpose did it serve??? And then Unsers reaction 😭😭. It triggered him to go off 😭😭. But despite that, I’m happy Oli and her bonded finally got their happy ending. Although I wish we would get a novella of their lives like 5 or 10 years later and we would see Sage and her bonded too. 

“The Eternal. Without question, she is eternally and completely mine. The center of our Bonded Group, eternally the one thing that we can all agree on and come together for, all of us working together to keep her safe.”

“One look at her and I was a changed man. One look at her and I knew that I would do whatever it takes to protect her and give her the life that she deserves, one in which she would never feel that sort of pain ever again, and certainly not at the hands of my family.” (Atlas)

“Seeing them all here together is everything I have always hoped it would be. A hundred lifetimes with these men wouldn't be enough. A thousand lifetimes with all of them together would only be the beginning of what I need from them.” (Oli’s bond)

“The soul bonding had solidified my obsession with her and though I know my own past actions with her had been poisoned by my past, now all I can see is the perfection of her, all of the ways that this woman owns me and the ways that I own her as well.” (Nox)

“The girl in my arms who I was so sure would be the catalyst for our destruction has become anything but that. She's the reason we're all pulling together, the reason we all want more for ourselves and the community. Simply by existing, she has made everything better.” (Nox)

“My Bonded needs a better life, a better world. I’m going to make that for her, no matter the cost.” (North)

“I could hate this god for killing me, for being the one to spark the soul-bond that I share with my Bonded, but there's a part of me that will always be grateful for my death. I wouldn't have found Oleander in the darkness of my mind without it.” (Nox)

“I found my home. I've fought for it, I've bled for it, and now I get to enjoy it. My Bonded and I deserve it.” (Oli)

It was so surreal to see Maddie, Cal, Grace, and Lila all grown up, but it was definitely heartwarming to see how close they all are 🥹. This book takes place 17 years after book one, when Maddie is 21 years old and gets an ankle injury the day before a life-changing audition for a ballet company. After Cal travels to take care of her, he finds her a physical therapist to help heal her ankle which is how we meet31 year old, Dr. James Simmons. During her ankle treatment, both Maddie and James fight their attraction to each other because of their age gap and their patient-doctor relationship. Once the treatment is over, they decide to pursue a friendship which eventually leads to more, but come across their separate issues along the way.

I loved that their relationship was a slow burn, it truly allowed them to get to know one another as friends and enjoy each other’s company. I loved so many things over the course of their friendship and relationship. Like it was so cute how he put his hand on her Uber so she didn’t hit her head on the way in 🤭. Ooh, and a really fun scene which happened while he was still her doctor was Maddie’s friend had created a dating profile for her and they came across his profile and her friend swiped up!!! And later on as an apology she drew him a mandala because she saw he liked them 😭😭. He would give her rides home after work because she would get out late and he wanted her to be safe. They went on a hike together which had some tension 🤭. And it was just nice how being with each other helped the other to heal and overcome their issues in the past. 

I really loved seeing any scenes with Maddie, Cal, Grace, and Lila. It was even nice to see Maddie and Cal’s moms journey throughout the book, and it made me happy that she got better and started to turn her life around. Although I wish we had seen the scene when Maddie met James’ parents, I loved the epilogue and seeing their happy ending ten years after 🥹. Also, I CANNOT wait for the next book because it’s going to be Lila’s book!! And it’s going to be 13 years after this book when she’s 24 (it’s going to be another age gap🤭) and it’s making me feel sad because it means Cal and Grace are going to be a lot older 🥲. But either way, I know I’m going to love that book and seeing everyone’s journeys 🥹🫶. 

“I suspect there’s much, much more pain in that big heart of hers that she hasn’t told me about. I know how it feels. I’ve been there, and unlike me, she won’t fall. I’ll make sure of it. I’ll pick her up every time until she learns to stay balanced.”

“Talk to me. What’s making you so upset?”

“It’s not important.”

“It is if it’s making you cry. And if it’s making you cry, I want to know about it so we can fix it. And if it can’t be fixed, I could always break someone’s arm or leg.”

“James!” she hisses and slaps my arm away. I chuckle, caught off guard, and that earns me a smile.

Worth it.

“I can’t stay away from Maddie. I don’t want to. Every day I crave seeing her beautiful, attentive eyes and that smile that could light up a whole room just by her walking in. I long for her fiery personality, and I wish to crush all her demons so she can shine brighter.”

“I can’t stand the thought of you being hurt, Maddie. In any way, present or past. It makes me want to hurt whoever hurt you. Badly. Repeatedly.”

“You’ve just insulted several generations and everyone with great music taste.”

“Sorry, I forgot you’re ancient.”

“What does that say about you, then? That you hang out with an ancient man.”

“I’ve always felt for the elderly.”

Oh, Maddie. If I weren’t behind the wheel right now…

“If I had any doubts before, it’s clear now—Maddie owns me, consumes me, blinds me of all my senses, except for the innate urge to make her feel good, safe, protected, cherished. I would give her the whole world on a silver platter if she asked for it, and that realization terrifies me.”

“What are you doing?”

“Washing your hair.”

“But why?”

“Because I want to take care of you.”

“Thank you for always taking care of me.”

“You make me want to be a better man, Maddie. I will always take care of you.”

“How do you see yourself in five years?”

“With you.”

“Doing what?”

“I don’t care, Maddie, as long as I’m by your side. I know you’re twenty-one and have many things to figure out still, but so do I.”

“I’m tired of fighting this when all I’ve wanted since I laid my eyes on you was to be in your life. Take care of you, love you like you deserve. And if that means quitting my job to move somewhere else with you, or have a bunch of kids, or adopt a dozen cats, then I’ll do it with a smile on my face because it’ll mean I get to have you.”

“You’re my guiding light, Maddie. You have been since the moment I met you. You’re admirable in so many ways, I would lose my breath if I dared list them one by one. Just the fact that you’re here today, facing the demons of your past, tells me I have a lot to learn from you. I feel like the luckiest man on this planet when you smile at me, and I want to make you happy, to love and protect you for as long as you’ll want me. If you even do.”

“My heart is yours. And I want your heart, James, all the dark corners that come with it. Will you give it to me?”

It’s always been yours.”

“He grounds me, calms me, and I know without a doubt now that this is where I’m meant to be. He’s the one I was always meant to find, the one I was meant to share this journey of healing with.”

⭐️⭐️⭐️.75 stars.

For those who love Dragon shifters, college romance, forbidden love, professor/student, age gap, billionaire, reverse harem aka why choose, fated mates, touch her and ☠️ vibes, possessive and protective men and cute nicknames, this is for you.

I’m loving all the guys especially with their possessiveness and obsessiveness. Like right after Knox met Hayden, he doesn’t like any male attention on her because he wants her for himself 😩. And the next day after Knox meets her, he goes to her dorm and has brought her four different drink options because he didn’t know what she liked 😭. AND THEY JUST MET 😭😭. And then as soon as Maddox lays his eyes on her, he’s like “Mine” And Y’all, Cáel?? Like he hadn’t even met her yet, and he’s crazy about her 🤭. And then when he sees her, he immediately hugs her 😩. And then some guy disrespects her at her work, and this man does not let it slide. He’s literally like “touch her and die” 🤭🤭. And Cáel saw that she needed a better jacket, so he got her five 😭😭. Cillian, the alpha of the group, called her “Little Flame” 😭. Y’all, that ending 😘🤌. Chefs kiss. Cannot wait for more.

Hayden is starting her freshman year at Evergreen University on the pre-med track. On her first day on campus, she runs into a tall gorgeous stranger, Knox, in his junior year, and is known to be the most popular guy on campus. In this story, we have five men. Knox, Easton, Maddox, Cáel, and Cillian, and these men immediately become important fixtures into Hayden’s life. Easton is Knox’s twin and has an immediate dislike towards Hayden. Maddox, a professor on campus. Cáel, the man who is seemingly unstable and has a hard time letting people in, until her. And Cillian, the resident billionaire who has an immediate pull to Hayden.


I received this book as an e-arc/audio, and all my opinions are 100% truthful.


Favorite quotes/scenes:

“I was coming to find you. I wasn’t sure what you drank, so I brought options. Black coffee. Coffee with cream and sugar. One of those caramel coffee drinks that are more like a milkshake. And hot chocolate.” (Knox)
“You brought me four different drinks?” (Hayden)
“Seemed like the best move.” (Knox)
“Why?” (Hayden)
“I told you. I didn’t know what you liked.” (Hayden)

“You were alone.” (Knox)
“Aren’t lots of people?” (Hayden)
“You shouldn’t have been alone.” (Knox)
“Maybe, but I got through it.” (Hayden)
“You’re not going to be alone anymore.” (Knox)

“God, I wanted to touch her. To hold her in my arms and assure her that there wasn’t a damn thing she could do that would make me love her any less.” (Maddox)

“Did. You. Touch. Her?” (Cáel) 

“Think like a proton. Stay positive.” 

“Missed you.” (Knox)
“I saw you yesterday.” (Hayden)
“Too long.” (Knox)

“But looking down at the woman in my arms, she was the only thing I could think about. She was everything. And I’d do whatever it took to keep her safe.” (Knox)

“Does Knox know?” (Hayden)
“Does he know that I’m going to take you to bed sometime soon and fuck you so hard you’ll feel me for days? Yes, Little Flame, he does. And he likes it.” (Cillian)

“My Little Flame had burned me in a way that would leave permanent scars. And I loved every second of it.” (Cillian)

“No tears, Mo Ghràidh. They slay me.” (Maddox)
“He hurt you because of me. Because you were trying to protect me.” (Hayden)
“I’d take a blade for you a thousand times.” (Maddox)
“Why?” (Hayden)
“Because you matter.” (Maddox)

“Little Flame…” (Cillian)
“An angel who will drag you right to hell.” (Knox)
“I think we should stay home.” (Cáel)
“I worked way too hard on my makeup to stay home.” (Hayden)
“She’s a work of art. Our girl needs to be admired.” (Cillian)